To Vote The Views Of Your Constituents - Or Not

"You have asked me to express my views with respect to the importance and effectiveness of writing to your member of Congress.  I consider it very important.  It is also effective in that it is one of the many ways a member stays in touch with his constituents and is informed of their views on the issues.

Inherit in your question is also the classic question:  should a member of Congress vote his true beliefs or merely reflect the views of his constituents?  As with most things, the answer is neither simply one of the other.  It is both/and.

On most things a member usually reflects both or they would not have been elected in the first place.  And if a member doesn't mostly reflect both, he or she will not be long in office.  But if a member feels strongly about an issue, they may vote their real views and simply 'take the heat' from their constituents.  This cannot happen too often, however, and remain in office.  In the end, the people do have the final say." -Congressman Jesse L. Jackson, Jr., 2nd District, Illinois

In Honor of 9/11

The Mighty Giant

By Claudia Sullins

America you are beautiful,

God has blessed your sweet soul.

You have risen from the ashes,

with no enemy to reap his toll.

The darkest of black approached your shore,

and pierced your heart with its evil sword.

With a cry of victory they lifted their fists,

for killing the Giant was their own reward.

Woe unto them with dark screams of power,

and blind thirst for blood clouding their vision.

They misjudged the Giant and Her mighty strength,

as she rose with a vengeance; denying their mission.

A lesson should be learned when attacking the Giant,

Her people are strong, resilient, and undaunted.

Her history is blessed with victory and protection,

for God is Her master, and She the anointed.

America you are beautiful,

God has blessed your sweet soul.

You have risen from the ashes,

with no enemy to reap his toll.

Light Your Candle

"Eleanor Roosevelt once said, 'It is better to light a candle than curse the darkness.' I encourage everyone to light that candle and let their views be known to their representatives in Washington, DC." -Senator Mary L. Landrieu, Louisiana

Vital Part of Our American Democracy

"Contacting a member of Congress, whether through writing a letter, sending an e-mail or fax, or just picking up the phone is a vital part of our American democracy. Without hearing from those on whose behalf we are sent to Washington, we cannot truly be a "Representative" of the people. I would urge all interested citizens to let their Representative or Senator know how they feel on the issues..." -Ray LaHood, Congressman from the 18th District Illinois 2004

Labor Day

Labor Day is a United States Federal holiday observed on the first Monday in September. The first Labor Day in the United States was celebrated on September 5, 1882, when, following the deaths of a number of workers at the hands of the U.S. military and U.S. Marshals during the Pullman Strike, President Grover Cleveland put reconciliation with the labor movement as a top political priority. Fearing further conflict, legislation making Labor Day a national holiday was rushed through Congress unanimously and signed into law a mere six days after the end of the strike. The September date was chosen as Cleveland was concerned that aligning an American labor holiday with existing international May Day celebrations would stir up negative emotions linked to the Haymarket Affair. All 50 U.S. states have made Labor Day a state holiday.

Letter to NWYC

"As an elected official, I can't do my job properly unless I know my constituents' opinions and concerns. That's why it's so important that citizens take the time to write their representatives to let them know how they feel. An informed and intelligent dialogue between government and citizenry is critical to the well-being of our democracy. I may not always agree with everything that people write to me, but know that I take every letter and e-mail seriously, and always take the time to respond.

I applaud your ongoing efforts to strengthen participatory democracy through the encouraging a constituent correspondence. Keep up the good work!" -Congressman Jose' E. Serrano, 16th District, New York

Constituent Opinion... The Linchpin of Our System

"I would like to thank you and National Write Your Congressman for many years of work improving communication between Members of Congress and the people we represent. Hearing from my constituents and learning their views on the issues that matter to them allows me to carry out my job title as representative.

Our Republic can only function when the American people are informed and involved in the governing process. The House of Representatives was established by our Founding Fathers to be responsive to the will of the people, and constituent opinion is the linchpin of that system. I have been entrusted with the privilege of representing constituents in my district, and their views influence each and every vote that I cast." -Congressman John Culberson, 7th District, Texas

Constituent Opinion

"Article I of the Constitution gives us the right to elect our representatives in Washington, but also the right to do so much more including the right of free speech, the right of association and the right to express our opinions about the actions of our elected officials. Our elected officials cannot represent us well if they do not know what we are thinking and experiencing.

My constituents are encouraged to send a personal letter or email - not just a form letter. We do listen when you speak to us and it is far more effective when we can hear your position in your own words." -Congressman Spencer Bachus, 6th District, Alabama

Thomas Jefferson

"A wise and frugal government, which shall leave men free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement, and shall not take from the mouth of labor the bread it has earned - this is the sum of good government." -Thomas Jefferson

James Madison - Two Things Required for a Democratic System To Work

"The House of Representatives was intended to be the most representative element of the United States government. James Madison, the primary author of the U.S. Constitution, explained that the House should have "an immediate dependence on, and an intimate sympathy with the people." In order for our democratic system to work the way our founding fathers imagined two things are required. First, the people must be informed. It is essential that we have a government that is open to the public and a media that is free from government influence. Second, the people must be involved. Americans must communicate their views, beliefs and ideas to their elected representatives." -Congressman Leonard L. Boswell, 3rd District, Iowa

Thomas Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson once said, "I know of no safe depository of the ultimate powers of the society but the people themselves; and if we think them not enlightened enough to exercise their control with a wholesome discretion, the remedy is not to take it from them, but inform their discretion."

Constituent Opinion

"The job of a member of Congress relies to a large extent on his or her ability to work with colleagues from both sides of the aisle in advancing legislation which will benefit the entire nation. More importantly, however, congressmen depend heavily on the input of constituents in their districts regarding important issues of the day. I have been able to perform my job more effectively as a result of receiving opinions and suggestions from my constituents in the First District of Alabama. The correspondence and telephone calls I receive are an excellent way of gauging the views of the district as I consider new legislation and how it will affect the families of south Alabama." -Congressman Jo Bonner, 1st District, Alabama